Chinese researchers have discovered a new strain of coronavirus in bats that has the potential to infect human cells. This alarming finding, led by virologist Shi Zhengli—also known as “Bat Woman”—was conducted at Guangzhou Laboratory in collaboration with other scientific institutions.
What Is the Newly Discovered Virus?
-
- The new strain belongs to the HKU5 lineage, which has been previously identified in Japanese bats.
- It is related to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome).
- Scientists have named this newly discovered strain HKU5-CoV-2.
How Dangerous Is It?
- This virus has been found to enter human cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor, the same pathway that SARS-CoV-2 uses to infect humans.
- Although scientists currently believe the risk of it causing a pandemic is low, they emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring due to its ability to potentially infect multiple species.
Connections to the Wuhan Institute of Virology
-
- This discovery has once again brought attention to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which was previously suspected of being linked to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
-
- The study, published in the scientific journal Cell, confirms that HKU5-CoV-2 can enter human cells, raising concerns about the possibility of future spillovers from animals to humans.
- However, researchers noted that the virus does not invade human cells as efficiently as SARS-CoV-2.
- Additionally, its binding affinity to the ACE2 receptor is significantly lower, suggesting that the likelihood of it spreading among humans remains minimal.
Why This Matters?
-
-
- The discovery highlights the ongoing risk of new coronavirus strains emerging from animals and potentially jumping to humans.
- Scientists stress the need for constant surveillance of bat coronaviruses to better understand the risks they pose to public health.
-
- By identifying potential threats early, researchers hope to prevent future outbreaks before they escalate into pandemics.
Final Thoughts
While there is no immediate cause for alarm, this research underscores the importance of global vigilance in monitoring emerging viruses. With lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, experts emphasize that proactive surveillance, early detection, and scientific research are key to preventing future health crises.